George Huscroft Jr. not forgotten

Colleagues remember former Jefferson County Sheriff as friendly, dedicated

October 20, 2012

STEUBENVILLE - Colleagues and fellow law enforcement officers are remembering the late George L. Huscroft Jr. as a dedicated law enforcement officer who also had a friendly streak, Huscroft, 84, who served as sheriff of Jefferson County from 1972 to 1981, died Wednesday at Valley Hospice North.

A Steubenville native, Huscroft was the son of the late George and Elizabeth Martin Huscroft. In addition to serving two terms as Jefferson County sheriff, Huscroft also was a retired employee of the Ohio Department of Transportation and began his law enforcement career under his father, who also was a previous Jefferson County sheriff. A member of the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, he also was a member of the Pleasant Hill Grange and the Jefferson County Historical Society.

Current Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla said Huscroft was a good law enforcement official and a friendly person.

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"His father was a Jefferson County sheriff from 1961 to 1964," said Abdalla, adding he got to know Huscroft through their mutual law enforcement careers. "I knew him really well. We ran against each other once (for sheriff). I always respected the guy, and he was a good man."

Abdalla said Huscroft was always professional and courteous.

"He took his job very seriously," said Abdalla. "He was friendly to everyone. I never heard anyone ever say anything bad about him.

"He was a farm boy," continued the sheriff. "He and his father had some of the best produce in the valley. That was back in the 1940s through the 1960s. I had great admiration for the guy."

Frank Noble Sr. of Tiltonsville served under Huscroft in several capacities. He said Huscroft always put the men under his command first.

"I served as a deputy, detective and then sergeant (under Huscroft)," said Noble. "He hired me in September of 1979."

Noble served two years as a detective under Huscroft's leadership, he said.

"He was a super-nice guy," continued Noble. "The first year I worked for him he asked me if there was anything me or my family needed for Christmas. He would give you the shirt off his back. He expected the guys to do their work, though. He was a great guy to work with, and if we got a call, he was right there with us. I worked for him until 1981."

Noble said Huscroft was sheriff during a tumultuous period of coal strikes in the 1970s, and he handled himself professionally.

Huscroft was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Huscroft, and is survived by his daughter Cheryl Huscroft Bartholomew and grand and great-grandchildren. Calling hours are 4 p.m to 7 p.m. Monday at the Shorac Funeral Home, 611 N. Fourth St. Burial in Steubenville Union Cemetery will be 10 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Bill Brown officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Jefferson County Historical Society. Condolences may be offered at www.shorac.com.